JP6315960B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.

  There is an image forming apparatus having a function of notifying a manufacturer or the like of a repair request for a malfunction in response to an instruction from a user when a malfunction occurs in the image forming apparatus. Patent Document 1 describes that a repair request is transmitted to the management apparatus, and that the repair request transmitted to the management apparatus is canceled.

JP 2011-150588 A

  There are various causes of the malfunction occurring in the image forming apparatus, and in some cases, the malfunction may be solved by the user performing repair work. In the case of Patent Document 1, even if a malfunction that can be easily solved if a user performs repair work, when the user instructs transmission of a repair request, the repair request is transmitted to the uniform management apparatus. Accordingly, useless costs are incurred for both the user and the manufacturer who repairs the product.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that prompts a user to perform repair work before actually sending a repair request when an instruction to send a repair request is received from the user.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device via a network, wherein a receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user, and the receiving unit performs repair. when receiving an instruction for requesting the external device, comprising display means for displaying a work screen, and a transmitting means for transmitting a repair request for requesting the repair to the external device, said display means, When the receiving means receives an instruction for requesting the repair, a work screen showing only the repair work to be performed by the user is displayed, and after the user performs the repair work in accordance with the indicated repair work When the receiving unit receives an instruction for requesting the repair from the user again, the display unit transmits the repair work and the repair request to the external device. An operation screen showing a reception unit that receives an instruction from a user is displayed, and the transmission unit receives an instruction for the reception unit to transmit the repair request to the external device from the user via the reception unit. In this case, the repair request is transmitted to the external device .

  According to the present invention, when an instruction to send a repair request is received from the user, the user can be prompted to perform repair work before actually sending the repair request.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus in FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the operation part in FIG. It is a figure which shows each screen displayed on the display part in FIG. It is a figure which shows each screen displayed on the display part in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the repair request discrimination | determination process performed by CPU in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image defect job memory | storage process in step S802 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image defect repair request discrimination | determination process in step S803 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image defect repair request discrimination | determination process in step S803 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the factor flag selection process in step S928 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 100 including an image forming apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 300 and a management apparatus 301.

  The image forming apparatus 300 is connected to the Internet 305 via the network 304, and the management apparatus 301 is connected to the Internet via the network 306, so that the image forming apparatus 300 and the management apparatus 301 can communicate with each other.

  The image forming apparatus 300 can transmit a repair request to the management apparatus 301 that receives the repair request. When the management apparatus 301 receives the repair request transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300, the image forming apparatus 300 performs a repair arrangement process. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 300 includes a controller unit 201, an operation unit 204, a printer 203, a scanner 202, and a modem 220.

  The controller unit 201 includes a CPU 210, a RAM 211, a ROM 212, an operation unit interface 213, an image processing unit 214, a printer interface 215, a scanner interface 216, a LAN interface 217, and a fax interface 219, which are connected by a bus.

  The CPU 210 controls the entire image forming apparatus 300. The RAM 211 is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area of the CPU 210 and stores various data. The ROM 212 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs executed by the CPU 210. A flowchart to be described later is realized by the CPU 210 executing a program stored in the ROM 212 and expanded in the RAM 211.

  The operation unit interface 213 is an interface between the controller unit 201 and the operation unit 204. The image processing unit 214 corrects, processes, and edits image data, and performs various corrections for printing, resolution conversion, and the like on the image data to be printed.

  A printer interface 215 is an interface between the controller unit 201 and the printer 203. A scanner interface 216 is an interface between the controller unit 201 and the scanner 202.

  The LAN interface 217 is an interface between the controller unit 201 and the network 304. A fax interface 219 is an interface between the controller unit 201 and the modem 220.

  The operation unit 204 displays information to the user and allows operation input by the user. Details of the operation unit 204 will be described later.

  The printer 203 prints an image indicated by the image data on a recording medium such as paper. In addition to the cartridge 221, the printer 203 includes a paper feeding unit, a printing unit, a paper discharge unit, and the like (not shown).

  Note that the printing method of the printer 203 may be either an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Furthermore, since the print quality of the printer 203 is affected by various characteristics, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment has an adjustment function for improving the quality.

  The scanner 202 reads an original with the sensor 218 and outputs image data indicating an image of the original. The sensor 218 reads a document placed on the glass through the glass, and the CPU 210 can detect the stain on the glass by analyzing the image data output from the scanner 202. Modem 220 connects to a telephone line to send a fax. In the following description, dirt on the glass is expressed as dirt on the scanner 202, and cleaning the glass is expressed as cleaning the scanner 202.

  Of the processes executed with the configuration described above, the process of transmitting image data to an external apparatus through the LAN interface 217 is expressed as a Send job. In addition, processing for transmitting image data to an external apparatus by the fax interface 219 is expressed as a FAX job.

  Further, a process of reading an original with the scanner 202 and printing an image showing the original with the printer 203 is expressed as a Copy job. Of the processes printed by the printer 203, a process that is not a copy job is expressed as a print job.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 204 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the operation unit 204 includes a display unit 101, up / down / left / right keys 102, a numeric keypad 103, and a start key 104.

  The up / down / left / right key 102 and the numeric keypad 103 are used by the user to select and set items. The start key 104 is used when the user instructs printing. The display unit 101 displays each screen and various information described below.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each screen displayed on the display unit 101 in FIG.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a screen 401 that receives an instruction for transmitting a repair request for requesting repair of the image forming apparatus 300 to the management apparatus 301 from the user.

  On this screen 401, a phenomenon occurring in the image forming apparatus 300 is input by the user. In the present embodiment, three phenomena that are occurring are image defect, paper jam, and operation failure.

  The image defect 402 is a check button that is selected when an image obtained by using the image forming apparatus 300 has some defect.

  A paper jam 403 is a check button that is selected when a paper jam frequently occurs in the image forming apparatus 300 or a jam that cannot be dealt with by the user has occurred.

  The operation failure 404 is a check button that is selected when some operation failure other than the above-described image failure and paper jam has occurred.

  The transmission start button 406 is enabled when any one of the image defect 402, the paper jam 403, and the operation defect 404 is selected, and is disabled otherwise.

  When the transmission start button 406 is pressed by the user, the CPU 210 performs a repair request determination process described later, and transmits a repair request to the management apparatus 301 if a repair request is necessary.

  A cancel button 405 is a button that is pressed when canceling the repair request. When the user presses the cancel button 405, the screen 401 is closed.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a repair request cancel screen 1500 displayed when the user cancels the repair request.

  The repair request cancellation screen 1500 shown in FIG. 4B is displayed when the repair request is canceled. When the close button 1501 is pressed, the repair request cancel screen 1500 is closed.

  FIG. 4C shows an image defect job selection screen 501 for selecting a job in which an image defect occurs.

  On the image defect job selection screen 501, image processing in which a phenomenon occurs is input by the user. In the present exemplary embodiment, three examples of Send, Fax job, Print job, and Copy job will be described as image processing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, three processes, ie, a Send job, a fax job, a print job as a process using only the printer 203, and a copy job as a process using the scanner 202 and the printer 203 are used as examples. explain.

  A radio button 502 is a radio button that is selected when an image defect has occurred in a Send or Fax job. A radio button 505 is a radio button that is selected when no image defect has occurred in the Send or Fax job.

  A radio button 503 is a radio button selected when an image defect has occurred in the Print job. A radio button 506 is a radio button that is selected when no image defect has occurred in the Print job.

  A radio button 504 is a radio button selected when an image defect has occurred in the Copy job. A radio button 507 is a radio button that is selected when no image defect has occurred in the Copy job.

  If any of the radio buttons 502, 503, and 504 is selected, the OK button 508 is enabled, and otherwise is disabled.

  When the OK button 508 is pressed, the CPU 210 stores in the RAM 211 which job has caused an image defect and closes this image defect job selection screen 501.

  A cancel button 509 is a button that is pressed when canceling the selection of a defective image job. When the cancel button 509 is pressed by the user, the defective image job selection screen 501 is closed and a screen 401 is displayed.

  FIG. 4D shows a screen 600 that prompts the user to clean the scanner 202 of the scanner 202. A close button 601 is a button for closing the screen 600. This screen 600 is a screen that displays the cleaning of the scanner 202 in a predetermined repair method (repair work) that can be repaired by the user.

  FIG. 4E is a diagram showing a screen 700 on which a user is prompted to clean the scanner 202 and a repair request button 702 is provided. In this screen 700, a repair request can be requested by a repair request button 702. A close button 701 is a button for closing the screen 700.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing each screen displayed on the display unit 101 in FIG.

  FIG. 5A illustrates a screen 1100 that prompts the user to replace the cartridge 221 of the printer 203. A close button 1101 is a button for closing the screen 1100. This screen 1100 is a screen that displays the replacement of the cartridge 221 in a predetermined repair method that can be repaired by the user.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a screen 1200 on which a user is prompted to replace the cartridge 221 of the printer 203 and a repair request button 1202 is provided. On this screen 1200, a repair request can be requested by a repair request button 1202. A close button 1201 is a button for closing the screen 1200.

  FIG. 5C shows a screen 1300 that prompts the user to execute calibration. A close button 1301 is a button for closing the screen 1300. This screen 1300 is a screen that displays the execution of calibration among predetermined repair methods that can be repaired by the user.

  FIG. 5D is a diagram showing a screen 1400 in which a user is prompted to perform calibration and a repair request button 1402 is provided. On this screen 1400, a repair request can be requested by a repair request button 1402. A close button 1401 is a button for closing the screen 1400.

  Among the screens described above, each screen shown in FIGS. 4D and 5C is a screen that displays a work screen indicating a repair work to be performed by the user when an instruction is received. . Furthermore, each screen shown in FIGS. 4E, 5B, and 5D is also a work screen. Each of the screens shown in FIGS. 4E, 5B, and 5D displays a work screen and receives an instruction for transmitting a repair request to the management apparatus 301 from the user again. In this case, this is a screen for transmitting a repair request to the management apparatus 301. The repair request button corresponds to the reception unit.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of repair request determination processing executed by the CPU 210 in FIG.

  The repair request determination process shown in FIG. 6 is performed when one of the image defect 402, the paper jam 403, and the operation defect 404 is selected on the screen 401 in FIG. 4A and the transmission start button 406 is pressed. It is a process to be executed.

  In FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the image defect 402 has been selected (step S801). If it is determined in step S801 that the image defect 402 has not been selected (NO in step S801), the process proceeds to step S805.

  On the other hand, if the image defect 402 is selected as a result of the determination in step S801 (YES in step S801), an image defect job storage process for storing the job in which the image defect has occurred is executed (step S802), and then Image defect repair request determination processing for creating image defect repair request information is executed as necessary (step S803).

  Next, it is determined whether or not image defect repair request information has been created (step S804). If the result of determination in step S804 is that repair request information has not been created (NO in step S804), the repair request cancel screen 1500 described in FIG. 4B is displayed (step S810), and this process is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S804 is that repair request information has been created (YES in step S804), it is determined whether or not a paper jam 403 has been selected (step S805).

  If the paper jam 403 is selected as a result of the determination in step S805 (YES in step S805), paper jam repair request information is created (step S806), and the process proceeds to step S807.

  On the other hand, if the paper jam 403 is not selected as a result of the determination in step S805 (NO in step S805), it is determined whether or not the malfunction 404 is selected (step S807).

  If the malfunction 404 is selected as a result of the determination in step S807 (YES in step S807), malfunction repair request information is created (step S808), and the process proceeds to step S809.

  On the other hand, if the malfunction 404 is not selected as a result of the determination in step S807 (NO in step S807), the management apparatus 301 is informed of the image malfunction repair request information, the paper jam repair request information, or the malfunction malfunction repair request information. Among them, a repair request is made by transmitting the created information (step S809), and this process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image defect job storage process in step S802 of FIG.

  In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the image defective job selection screen 501 described in FIG. 4C is displayed (step S1000), one of the radio buttons 502, 503, and 504 is selected and the OK button 508 is pressed. When the cancel button 509 is pressed, the screen 401 in FIG. 4A is displayed, but it is assumed that the OK button 508 is pressed for the sake of simplicity.

  Next, it is determined whether a Send / Fax job corresponding to the radio button 502 is selected as an abnormal job (step S1001).

  If it is determined in step S1001 that a Send or Fax job has not been selected (NO in step S1001), the process proceeds to step S1003. If a Send or Fax job has been selected (YES in step S1001), A Send / Fax abnormality flag is set (step S1002).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a Print job corresponding to the radio button 503 is selected as an abnormal job (step S1003).

  As a result of the determination in step S1003, if the Print job is not selected (NO in step S1003), the process proceeds to step S1005. If the Print job is selected (YES in step S1003), the Print abnormality flag is set. Set (step S1004).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a Copy job corresponding to the radio button 504 is selected as an abnormal job (step S1005).

  If the result of determination in step S1005 is that a copy job has not been selected (NO in step S1005), this process ends. If a copy job has been selected (YES in step S1005), a copy abnormality flag Is set (step S1006), and this process is terminated.

  In the following description, the Send, Fax abnormality flag, Print abnormality flag, and Copy abnormality flag may be collectively expressed as an abnormality flag. These abnormality flags are stored in the RAM 211.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the image defect repair request determination process in step S803 of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not there is an error flag set by the processing of FIG. 7 (step S901).

  As a result of the determination in step S901, if there is an error flag that is set (YES in step S901), the process branches depending on the error flag that is set (step S902).

  If the Send / Fax abnormality flag is set as a result of the determination in Step S902, the Send / Fax abnormality flag is cleared (Step S903), and it is determined whether contamination of the scanner 202 is detected (Step S906). ).

  This is because image defects in Send and Fax jobs are considered to be the cause of image defects in reading by the scanner. If dirt is detected, it is possible that an image defect has occurred due to the dirt. For this reason, when an abnormality is selected in the Send or Fax job, the repair request is determined based on whether or not dirt is detected.

  As a result of the determination in step S906, when the stain on the scanner 202 is not detected (NO in step S906), the process returns to step S901.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S906 is that the scanner 202 is dirty (YES in step S906), the scanner dirt factor flag is set (step S932), and the process returns to step S901. This scanner contamination factor flag is a flag that is set when there is a possibility that contamination of the scanner 202 is a factor, and is not set otherwise.

  Returning to step S902, if the copy abnormality flag is set as a result of the determination in step S902, the copy abnormality flag is cleared (step S904), whether dirt is detected and the cleaning flag is not set. It is determined whether or not (step S913).

  This cleaning flag is a flag that is set when prompting the user to clean the scanner 202, and is not set otherwise. In addition, since the copy job scans and prints an original, the cause of the image defect may be in the scanner 202 or the printer 203. Therefore, whether the scanner 202 is dirty or not is checked by checking a cleaning flag to determine whether the cause is the scanner 202 or the printer 203.

  As a result of the determination in step S913, if dirt is detected and the cleaning flag is not set (YES in step S913), the process proceeds to step S932.

  On the other hand, if no dirt is detected or the cleaning flag is set (NO in step S913), the process proceeds to step S914.

  Returning to step S902, if the print abnormality flag is set as a result of the determination in step S902, the print abnormality flag is cleared (step S905), and it is determined whether the calibration has not been executed for a certain period of time. (Step S914).

  If the result of determination in step S914 is that calibration has not been executed for a certain period of time (YES in step S914), the calibration factor flag is set because there is a possibility that the image defect will be solved by executing calibration. (Step S931), the process returns to step S901. This calibration factor flag is a flag that is set when there is a possibility that the calibration is a factor, and is not set otherwise.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S914 is that a certain period has not elapsed since the calibration was executed (NO in step S914), whether or not the number of printed sheets after replacing the cartridge is greater than a certain value. A determination is made (step S916).

  If the result of determination in step S916 is that the number of printed sheets after replacing the cartridge is not greater than a certain value (NO in step S916), the process returns to step S901.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S916 is that the number of printed sheets after replacement of the cartridge is greater than a certain value (YES in step S916), the defective image may be solved by replacing the cartridge. The cartridge factor flag is set (step S930), and the process returns to step S901.

  This cartridge factor flag is a flag that is set when there is a possibility that the cartridge is a factor, and is not set otherwise.

  In the following description, the scanner contamination factor flag, the calibration factor flag, and the cartridge factor flag may be collectively expressed as a factor flag. In the following description, a cartridge change flag and a calibration flag are further used.

  Among these, the cartridge change flag is a flag used when prompting the user to replace the cartridge. The calibration flag is a flag used when prompting the user to perform calibration.

  Returning to step S901, if the result of determination in step S901 is that there is no error flag set (NO in step S901), it is determined whether there is any error flag set (step S927). .

  As a result of the determination in step S927, if there is a factor flag that has been set (YES in step S927), a factor flag selection process for selecting an item that prompts the user for confirmation work is executed (step S928). The process proceeds to step S929.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S927, if there is no factor flag set (NO in step S927), image defect repair request information is created (step S907), and the cleaning flag, cartridge change flag, and calibration are created. The process flag is cleared (step S926), and the process proceeds to step S933 in FIG.

  Turning to FIG. 9, the process branches according to the set factor flag (step S929). If the result of determination in step S929 is that the scanner contamination factor flag is set, it is determined whether or not the cleaning flag is set (step S908).

  If the cleaning flag is set as a result of the determination in step S908 (YES in step S908), the screen 700 provided with the repair request button 702 in FIG. 4E is displayed (step S910).

  Next, the screen 700 is branched by the pressed button on the screen 700 (step S912). If the close button 701 is pressed as a result of the determination in step S912, all the factor flags are cleared (step S933), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the repair request button 702 is pressed as a result of the determination in step S912, the process proceeds to step S907 in FIG.

  Returning to the process in step S908, if the result of determination in step S908 is that the cleaning flag is not set (NO in step S908), the cleaning flag is set (step S909), and the cleaning shown in FIG. A prompt screen 600 is displayed (step S911), and the process proceeds to step S933.

  Returning to the process of step S929, if the cartridge factor flag is set as a result of the determination in step S929, it is determined whether or not the cartridge change flag is set (step S918).

  If it is determined in step S918 that the cartridge change flag has not been set (NO in step S918), the cartridge change flag is set (step S920), and the screen 1100 prompting replacement of the cartridge in FIG. Is displayed (step S911), and the process proceeds to step S933.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S918, if the cartridge change flag is set (YES in step S918), a screen 1200 provided with the repair request button 1202 in FIG. 5B is displayed (step S919). .

  Next, the screen 1200 branches with the pressed button (step S925). If it is determined in step S925 that the close button 1201 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S933.

  On the other hand, if the repair request button 1202 is pressed as a result of the determination in step S925, the process proceeds to step S907 in FIG.

  Returning to the process of step S929, if the calibration factor flag is set as a result of the determination in step S929, it is determined whether or not the calibration flag is set (step S915).

  If the result of determination in step S915 is that the calibration flag is set (YES in step S915), a screen 1400 provided with a repair request button 1402 in FIG. 5D is displayed (step S917).

  Next, the screen is branched on the pressed button on the screen 1400 (step S922). If the result of determination in step S922 is that the close button 1401 has been pressed, processing proceeds to step S933.

  On the other hand, if the repair request button 1402 is pressed as a result of the determination in step S922, the process proceeds to step S907 in FIG.

  Returning to the process of step S915, if the result of determination in step S915 is that the calibration flag is not set (NO in step S915), the calibration flag is set (step S923), and the process shown in FIG. A screen 1300 prompting execution of calibration is displayed (step S924), and the process proceeds to step S933.

  Based on the content of the repair request and the state of the image forming apparatus 300, the repair work to be displayed on the work screen is specified from the plurality of repair work by the image defect repair request determination process described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the repair work corresponding to the selected job type is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the factor flag selection process in step S928 of FIG.

  In FIG. 10, 1 is set to retryFlag (step S1600). This retryFlag is used to select a factor flag.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the scanner contamination factor flag is set (step S1601). If the result of determination in step S1601 is that the scanner contamination factor flag has not been set (NO in step S1601), the process proceeds to step S1604.

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1601 is that the scanner contamination factor flag is set (YES in step S1601), it is determined whether the cleaning flag is not set or whether retryFlag is set to 1. (Step S1602).

  If the result of determination in step S1602 is that the cleaning flag is not set or if retryFlag is set to 1 (YES in step S1602), the factor flags other than the scanner contamination factor flag are cleared (step S1603). ), This process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1602 is that the cleaning flag is set and retryFlag is set to 0 (NO in step S1602), it is determined whether or not the cartridge factor flag is set (step S1602). S1604). As a result of the determination in step S1604, if the cartridge factor flag is not set (NO in step S1604), the process proceeds to step S1607.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1604, if the cartridge factor flag is set (YES in step S1604), it is determined whether the cartridge change flag is set or whether retryFlag is set to 1. (Step S1605).

  If the result of determination in step S1605 is that the cartridge change flag is not set, or if retryFlag is set to 1 (YES in step S1605), factor flags other than the cartridge factor flag are cleared (step S1606). ), This process is terminated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1605, if the cartridge change flag is set and retryFlag is set to 0 (NO in step S1605), it is determined whether or not the calibration factor flag is set. (Step S1607). If it is determined in step S1607 that the calibration factor flag is not set (NO in step S1607), the process advances to step S1610.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1607, if the calibration factor flag is set (YES in step S1607), it is determined whether the calibration flag is set or whether retryFlag is set to 1. (Step S1608).

  As a result of the determination in step S1608, if the calibration flag is not set or if retryFlag is set to 1 (YES in step S1608), the factor flags other than the calibration factor flag are cleared (step S1608). S1609), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1608 is that the calibration flag is set and 0 is set in retryFlag (NO in step S1608), 1 is set in retryFlag (step S1610). The process returns to S1601.

  The process shown in the flowchart described above will be described with a specific example.

  When the user makes a repair request due to an image defect of the Send job, the CPU 210 displays the screen 401 in FIG. 4A when the user operates the operation unit 204.

  Since the user requests repair of an image defect, the image defect 402 is selected and the transmission start button 406 is pressed. When the transmission start button 406 is pressed, the CPU 210 executes the repair request determination process shown in FIG.

  In this case, since the image defect is selected by the user, the image defect job selection screen 501 in FIG. 4C is displayed by the process of step S1000.

  Here, the user selects a radio button 502 corresponding to a Send / Fax job abnormality and presses an OK button 508.

  Subsequently, the CPU 210 executes the defective image job storage process of FIG. 7, and the Send / Fax abnormality flag is set in step S1002. Thereafter, in step S803, an image defect repair request determination process is executed.

  In this case, since the Send / Fax job abnormality flag is set, it is determined in step S906 in FIG. 8 whether dirt on the scanner 202 has been detected.

  If dirt is detected, there is a possibility of noise due to the dirt. Therefore, in step S911 in FIG. 9, a screen 600 for prompting cleaning in FIG. 4D is displayed without making a repair request.

  Thus, if the user cleans the dirt and the image defect is improved, it is not necessary to make a useless repair request. On the other hand, the cleaning flag is set in step S909 at the time of the previous process so that a repair request can be made when the image defect is not improved and dirt is detected in step S906.

  If the cleaning flag is set, the process branches to step S910 in step S908, and a screen 700 provided with a repair request button 702 in FIG. 4E is displayed. As a result, the user can make a repair request.

  According to the present embodiment, before making a repair request to the management apparatus 301, the state of the device is checked, and if there is a confirmation item that may cause a defect that can be repaired by the user, it is displayed, and the repair request is actually made. By not performing it, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary repair request from being made. Further, by displaying only the confirmation items related to the defect, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user's confirmation work.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the phenomenon occurring in the image forming apparatus 300 is input (FIG. 4A), and the image processing in which the phenomenon occurs is input (FIG. 4C). From the first input phenomenon that is the input phenomenon and the first input image processing that is the input image processing, a screen that prompts execution of a predetermined repair method that can be repaired by the user is displayed (FIG. 4D). 5 (A) and 5 (C)), after that, when the first input phenomenon is input again and the first input image processing is input again, a screen for transmitting a repair request to the management apparatus is displayed (FIG. 4). (E), FIG. 5 (B) (D)).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, since each screen input by the user is easy to operate, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user when requesting repair. Furthermore, since the repair request button is not displayed at first and the repair request button is displayed after prompting the user to execute the repairable method, unnecessary repair requests can be suppressed.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

101 Display Unit 102 Up / Down / Left / Right Key 103 Numeric Keypad 104 Start Key 201 Controller Unit 202 Scanner 203 Printer 204 Operation Unit 210 CPU
211 RAM
212 ROM
218 Sensor 221 Cartridge 300 Image forming apparatus 301 Management apparatus

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device via a network,
Receiving means for receiving instructions from the user ;
When the receiving unit has received an instruction to request repairs to the external device, and a display means for displaying a work screen,
Transmitting means for transmitting a repair request for requesting the repair to the external device, and
The display means displays a work screen showing only repair work to be performed by a user when the accepting means accepts an instruction for requesting the repair,
After the user performs the repair work in accordance with the indicated repair work, when the receiving means receives an instruction for requesting the repair from the user again, the display means displays the repair work and the repair. Displaying a work screen indicating a reception unit that receives an instruction for transmitting a request to the external device from a user;
The transmission unit transmits the repair request to the external device when the reception unit receives an instruction for transmitting the repair request to the external device from a user via the reception unit. An image forming apparatus. When the repair request received by the receiving unit is a request for solving an image defect occurring in the image forming apparatus, the display unit selects a type of job in which the image defect occurs. Display the selection screen for
Wherein the work screen, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the repair work for the type of job selected in the selection screen is displayed. Based on the content of the repair request and the state of the image forming apparatus, further comprising a specifying means for specifying the repair work displayed on the work screen from a plurality of repair work,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays a work screen indicating a repair work specified by the specifying unit. An image forming apparatus control method capable of communicating with an external device via a network,
A reception step for receiving instructions from the user ;
When the receiving step has received an instruction to request repairs to the external device, and a display step of displaying a work screen,
Transmitting a repair request for requesting the repair to the external device, and
The display step displays a work screen showing only repair work to be performed by the user when the accepting step accepts an instruction for requesting the repair;
After the user performs the repair work according to the indicated repair work, the display step includes the repair work and the repair when the receiving step receives an instruction for requesting the repair from the user again. Displaying a work screen indicating a reception unit that receives an instruction for transmitting a request to the external device from a user;
The transmitting step transmits the repair request to the external device when the receiving step receives an instruction for transmitting the repair request to the external device from a user via the receiving unit. Control method. When the repair request received in the receiving step is a request for resolving an image defect occurring in the image forming apparatus, the display step selects a job type in which the image defect occurs. Display the selection screen for
The control method according to claim 4 , wherein a repair work corresponding to a type of job selected on the selection screen is displayed on the work screen. Based on the content of the repair request and the state of the image forming apparatus, further comprising a specifying step of specifying a repair work to be displayed on the work screen from a plurality of repair work
The control method according to claim 4 , wherein the display step displays a work screen indicating the repair work specified in the specifying step. A program for causing a computer to execute the image forming apparatus control method according to claim 4 .

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